Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) is considered by many people to be one of the greatest artists who ever lived. During his lifetime, he was famous for his artwork and skill as an engineer: since his death, he has become equally celebrated for his scientific knowledge and his inventions, many of which were hundreds of years ahead of their time.
Da Vinci lived during a period known as the Renaissance when there was a great explosion of learning in Europe. He is often called a “Renaissance Man”, meaning that he was knowledgeable and talented in many different areas.
Teach your children about the Leonardo da Vinco using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Try this simple activity to make your own version of Vitruvian Man.
- This lesson plan from Crayola encourages children to think about why the Mona Lisa is smiling.
- Show the children this panoramic photo of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. Why are there so many people there? Why is the painting behind glass? Would you like to visit? On the wall opposite the Mona Lisa is another of Leonardo’s famous paintings, The Wedding at Cana. Why are more people looking at the Mona Lisa than that picture? Which painting do you prefer?
- Build your own model of one of da Vinci’s inventions, such as his design for a parachute.
- Invent your own da Vinci machine.
Resources
- Use our fantastic pack of resources to learn more about Leonardo da Vinci.
- Learn about the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci with our free printable fact cards.
- This great newspaper report on da Vinci could be used as a model for writing.
- Use these free da Vinci colouring pages with your children.
- Get a closer look at the Mona Lisa with this video and interactive tool.
Leonardo da Vinci Knowledge Organiser
Members of Teaching Packs can download a comprehensive knowledge organiser to accompany this topic. It includes key information that your children can use for reference and research, along with examples of his work, a timeline of his life and more.
Not a member yet? Join us today!
Leonardo da Vinci Facts
- Leonardo da Vinci got his name from his home town of Vinci, where he was born on the 15th of April 1542.
- Da Vinci left many of his works unfinished, including the Mona Lisa, which he never considered to be finished.
- It is thought that da Vinci wrote over 20,000 pages of notes, of which about 7,000 still survive.
- He used mirror writing in his notebooks.
- Leonardo da Vinci was a vegetarian.
Videos
Top 7 Leonardo da Vinci Inventions
This video gives information about some of Leonardo da Vinci’s amazing inventions and how he developed them.
Running time: 5:00
Leonardo da Vinci’s life in 3 minutes
A fantastic, short summary of da Vinci’s life and achievements.
Running time: 3:04
Leonardo da Vinci’s Flying Machines
This video gives information about da Vinci’s flying machines and how they worked.
Running time: 5:04
Da Vinci 500 years on
This short video explains how discoveries from more than 500 years ago have pioneered the way we live our lives even today.
Running time: 2:02
The Mona Lisa Song
Have you ever wondered what would happen If the portrait of the Mona Lisa came to life and started singing? Now you can find out!
Running time: 2:20
Books
Katie and the Mona Lisa
Join Katie as she steps into one of the most famous paintings in the world for an exciting art adventure!
Leonardo and the Flying Boy
Leonardo and the Flying Boy provides an exciting introduction to the great genius of the Italian Renaissance, with reproductions of Leonardo’s own work.
Leonardo, the Beautiful Dreamer
This book features twenty lavish spreads which highlight distinct periods and make the master’s art, jokes, explorations, and inventions wonderfully vivid and accessible.
Who Was Leonardo da Vinci?
This book offers an accessible portrait of a fascinating man who lived at a fascinating time. It also shares lots of information about his ideas and inventions.
Incredible Machines
The six magnificent pop-ups in this book recreate some of da Vinci’s marvellous inventions in 3D. Leonardo’s own words also help the reader understand these inventions and explore the world of science.
Links
- This site from the Museum of Science, Boston, has some terrific lesson ideas based on da Vinci’s art and science.
- Look at these highly detailed models (made from da Vinci’s drawings) by the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.
- Explore the workings of the human heart, with this activity from the Royal Collection Trust, based on da Vinci’s anatomical drawings.
- Get inside da Vinci’s head with this fun activity from the Royal Collection Trust.
- Explore da Vinci’s notebooks online at the Victoria and Albert Museum site.
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